Muscle relaxer



P. G. BAKER MUSCLE RELAXER Jan. 15, 1957 Filed Dec 29, 1955 FIG. I.

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INVENTOR PAUL G. BAKER United States Patent MUSCLE RELAXER Paul G. Baker, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 29, 1955, Serial No. 556,339

1 Claim. (Cl. 128-69) This invention relates to muscle relaxers.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a muscle relaxer which will relax the muscles in the small of the back, and which is to be used when lying down.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a muscle relaxer of the above type which is particularly useful to drivers, bus drivers, auto drivers on long trips, ofiice workers and other persons who sit in one position for longer periods of time or work in air conditioned places with accompanying muscle fatigue, and wherein the muscle relaxer can be carried on vacation trips, in cars, glove compartments or the like due to its light weight and compactness, and which can then be employed when the user has an opportunity of lying down after driving or sitting.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a muscle relaxer of the above type bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is-inexpensive to manufacture and eflicient in use.

For other objects and a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof taken along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1; and V Fig. 3 is a side elevational view showing the device in a raised position or ready for transportation or carrying.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, and 11 represent a pair of rectangular, identical base boards hingeably connected at their adjacent ends by means of the hinge 12, substantially as illustrated.

A pair of rubber balls 12' are positioned in longitudinally spaced relationship on the board 10 by means of the felt or other fabric covering 13 secured to the sides and ends of the board 10 and enclosing the balls 12'. The board 11 is also provided with the felt or other fabric covering 14 secured to the ends and sides thereof. As shown in Fig. 2, the fabric coverings 13 and 14 extend across the bottom of the boards 10 and 11 and are secured thereat by means of the nails '15 or other fastening means. The board 11 may be folded under the board 10, as shown in Fig. 3, and secured thereat by means of the leather, or other suitable material, strip 16 secured to the end of the board 10 and having an opening 17 which engages the .post 18 fixedly carried by the end of the board 11.

The device is intended solely to relax the muscles of the small of the back and accomplishes this by a steady pressure of the two rubber balls 12 on the board 10, the position of the balls being adjustable by hand as the width of the person using the relaxer. In use, it is only necessary for the user to lie on his back on the floor and to slide the relaxer under the small of the hack and let the body weight rest on the balls, which will fit the small of the back on each side of the spine. That is, one ball will be on one side of the spine bones, and the other ball will rest against the muscle on the other side of the spine bones. The two boards are attached end to end with the hinge so that the one board can be flapped under the other to make it another inch or so higher and by doing this, more pressure can be created with the balls. If the muscles need to be relaxed, you will feel pain at first and later the pain will be less. The relaxer is slipped under the small of the back in a crosswise position and is not intended to be used on persons who may have open sores on their skin atthe small of the back or any traumatic injury. It is not necessary to remove the clothing in order to use the relaxer.

The balls are made of semi-hard rubber so as not to cause any damage to the user. The coverings 13 and 14 may be formed of soft velvet or other cloth or material. When not in use, the board 11 may be flapped under the board 10 and secured thereto by means of the flexible strip 16 and post 18 to increase the compactness of the device.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A muscle relaxer for the small of the back comprising a. supporting board, a pair of separable resilient balls positioned on said board and in longitudinally spaced relationship and adapted to be positioned on opposite sides of the spine when said board rests below the small of the back, and a fabric covering enclosing said balls and securing the same to said board while permitting their lateral adjustment relative to each other, .a second board identical in size and shape with said first board and having one end hingeably connected thereto, whereby to permit said second board to be flapped under said first board and to raise the device for increased pressure of said balls on the back muscles.-

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

